So I build a lot of little things for people, bookcases, cutting boards, coin holders, boxes, book ends, and now I’m turning stuff. What is the best way to mark something that you build so I can say that’s my work. I usually just put my initials on it with a sharpie on the bottom or someplace out of sight, but I suspect that can wash away or fade after time. I was thinking about a brand, what do others do?

I have a brand from branding-irons.biz that works really well. The price depends on the size and type of heating element (electric or torch) but mine cost $180 for the logo on my avatar at 1.25” square with the electric element.

If you have a logo you want to use and the money to spend, it’s a nice option to have. I get a lot of compliments on the logo and feel like it makes my smaller items look more professional.

-- Jay Gargiulo, Naples, FL www.swallowtailwoodcraft.com "Once you understand the way broadly, you can see it in all things."- Miyamoto Musashi

I made my own branding iron many many years ago and have posted it on here a couple times before. I also have used a regular Sharpie to put on things like the date or the # but they are alcohol based and need to be covered with a poly or other non alcohol based clear coat. Lately I have used Sharpie Oil Based Paint Markers Extra Fine got them at Hobby Lobby. I like them a lot better they don’t bleed into the grane of the wood and don’t really need to be coated over. I also have used the penny idea but sometimes it’s hard to get the most up to date penny year, or at least it is around here.

Morse Code in the stringing seems like an awful lot of work, though I like it. My son bought an external hard drive, and I was looking at it. It has Morse Code as the vent holes . Pretty cool, even if it is now obsolete. I personally will probably end up with a branding iron style ID on my stuff, if i mark it at all. Stamping with a die would be OK in items that could withstand it.